Is Bacalhau (Salted Cod) a Most Favorites Meals In Portugal?
Bacalhau (Salted Cod)
Absolutely! Calling it a "favorite" is almost an understatement—Bacalhau is the national dish of Portugal. It is deeply woven into the country's history and identity. Despite the Atlantic coast being full of fresh fish, the Portuguese fell in love with salted, dried cod centuries ago during the Age of Discovery because it could be preserved for long voyages.
In fact, it’s often considered the country’s national dish.
Here’s why it’s so important in Portuguese cuisine:
Portugal has a long maritime history, and salted cod became a staple because it preserved well for long sea voyages.
You’ll often hear the saying that there are “365 recipes for bacalhau” — one for each day of the year.
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| Portugal National Dish |
It’s especially popular during Christmas Eve dinner, when many Portuguese families traditionally serve bacalhau.
It appears in many beloved dishes, such as:
Bacalhau à Brás — shredded cod with eggs and potatoes.
Bacalhau com Natas — cod with cream.
Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá — baked cod with onions and potatoes.
Bolinhos de Bacalhau — cod fritters.
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| Portugal National Dish (Bacalhau Salted Cod) |
Even though Portugal has a strong fishing culture, most bacalhau is historically imported (especially from Norway and Newfoundland waters), then salted and dried.
Fun Fact: Portugal is responsible for consuming roughly 20% of all cod caught in the world, even though most of it is imported from Norway or Iceland
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